INFORME Y CRONOGRAMAS DE RECOJOS DE RESIDUOS SOLIDOS EN EL DISTRITO DE MORO
LINEAMIENTOS DE GESTIÓN Artículo 3 Finalidad
In Denmark, 2,520 farms organically cultivated 141,120 ha in 2000, representing 5.34% of the total utilisable land area and 4.36% of all agricultural holdings (Eurostat 2002). Compared to conventional farming, production of vegetables, milk and sheep and goats is rather important on organic farms, while pig
production is insignificant. In terms of market shares by volume, milk and cereals have a conspicuous position in the total domestic market, quantified at 11% and 12% respectively (Hamm et al. 2002). Accordingly, organic land use in Denmark is characterised by a high share of grassland and fodder crops (Table 3-14).
Table 3-14: Certified organic and in-conversion land area and animals in Denmark in 2000
Land use Organic land area
(ha) organic UAAin % of total 1 in % of total land area of category
Cereals 41,770 29.60 2.89
Pulses 4,580 3.25 6.96
Root crops 1,760 1.25 1.42
Vegetables² 980 0.69 8.56
Perennials and fruits³ 230 0.16 2.39
Arable fodder crops4 63,540 45.03 15.48
Permanent grassland 16,160 11.45 10.04
Other 12,100 8.57 2.92
Total 141,120 100.00 5.34
Livestock No. in % of all animals
Cattle 164,080 8.70
of which Dairy Cows 66,570 10.40
Pigs 82,150 0.71
Sheep & goats 25,910 18.13
Chicken (in 1000) 780 3.91
1 Total UAA in 2000: 2,644,580 ha 2 Vegetables incl. melons and strawberries 3 Fruit & berries, citrus, wine, olives 4 Arable forage crops & ley
In 1998/99, most organic holdings (75%) were situated in Jutland, with only 25% on the Islands (SJFI 2000a). Organic farms in Jutland were more than twice as large as the organic farms on the Islands (56 ha vs. 24 ha) and mostly full-time farms. Organic farms on the Islands accounted for only 13% of total gross organic output in Denmark, and their off-farm income was significantly higher, as 75% of all cropping farms are managed on a part-time basis. Furthermore, a significantly higher share of land is used for horticulture and cereals.
3.3.1
Danish dairy unit
Organic milk production in Denmark has increased rapidly in recent years. While in the dairy year 1994/95 only 49,200 t were produced, production increased to 134,700 t in 1996/97 and 395,000 t in 1999/2000 (Danish Milk Board 2001).
Most of the organic milk production takes place on full-time farms in Jutland (SJFI 2000a). One of the regions with the highest share of organic farming is Sonderjylland. In 1998, 330 organic farms cultivated 19,000 ha organically, representing 6.6% of all holdings and 6.9% of total UAA (Raunkjær 1998). Due to relatively more favourable natural conditions for dairy farming than for crops, the existence of a very active organic advisory board and early development of an organic dairy processing co-op, this region has many organic dairy farms. Flat or gently undulating plains with sandy soils predominate. These well- drained soils with poor water-retaining capacity and an average annual precipitation of 450 mm result in a periodic need for irrigation in the growing season. A moderate climate, with an annual average temperature of 7.5°C and 850 mm annual average precipitation, results in a growing season of more than 200 days a year (Gläßer 1980). However, precipitation maxima in August and October often complicate harvesting activities and may affect cereal quality. As soils are typically susceptible to wind erosion, a system of hedges has been put in place for wind protection, running in north-south direction.
A typically structured organic dairy farm rears 60 cows and covers around 66 ha arable land (Table 3-15). A profit/loss account for this typical organic arable farm is provided in Table 3-16 for the base year 1999. A standard crop rotation is: two years of clover/grass ley sown after a cereal crop. With an annual average of 60 dairy cows, most commonly Holstein Friesian and Black-and-White cattle, and 58 replacement heifers, an overall stocking rate of 1.4 LU/ha UAA is maintained. Dairy cows calve year round. The dairy herd achieves an annual average fat corrected milk yield of 6,672 kg based on a silage and mixed concentrate feed ration, of which 3,330 kg are from forage. A high intake of concentrates contributes significantly to high dairy variable costs. Replacement is around 35% by home reared heifers, which calve at 27 months.
Table 3-15: Danish organic dairy farm: land use, livestock policy and factor endowment in 1999
Land use (yield) Unit
Total land area UAA1 (ha) 66.0
Clover/grass ley ha 43.8
Potatoes (18.0 t/ha) ha 2.0
Maize silage ha 2.7
Barley, feed (4.0 t/ha) ha 4.0
Pea/Barley – silage ha 12.0
Oats (3.8 t/ha) ha 1.5
Livestock
Dairy Cows No. 60
Stocking rate LU2/ha UAA1 1.4
FCM3 kg/cow year 6672
Age of first calving months 27
Insemination with beef bull % 0
Factor endowment
Labour AWU4/100 ha UAA1 2.1
Farm family AWU4/farm year 1.2
Casual labour AWU4/farm year 0.1
Land owned/rented % 100/0
Quota t 395
Quota owned/rented % 100/0
1 UAA (utilisable agricultural area) 2 LU (livestock unit)
3 FCM (fat corrected milk) 4 AWU (agricultural work unit)
The farming family labour input of this farm is one full-time manager and part-time involvement of another family member. Approximately 0.1 AWU of casual labour is employed at harvest at an average of 13.44 € per hour, while
combine harvesting is contracted.
Land area is 100% own land and relies on large fields averaging 5 ha, which are mainly close (< 3 km) to the farmstead. Land rental prices in this region are at 430 € per ha for arable and 296 € for grassland. As the cereal area is small, the
simplified scheme applies. Support payments for organic farming are equal for arable and grassland (114 € per ha).
The farm has modern dairy facilities with bedded cubicle housing for all dairy cows, and a fishbone parlour. For breeding heifers, a deep litter barn exists. All animals have access to grazing for approximately 155 days per year. Due to inheritance legislation in Denmark, where young farmers do not inherit family farms but must purchase them from their predecessors at usual market prices, and due to recent growth coupled with machinery and building investments, interest payments are high.
The farm is equipped with all necessary machinery except a combine
harvester. This in part explains the high crop variable costs. The area on which contracting assistance for harvesting is needed is reflected in high crop variable costs. In contrast, labour costs are low due to little paid labour input despite high labour prices (Table 3-16). Milk quota is all farm-owned due to the quota stock market arrangement in Denmark. In 1999, additional quota was available at 0.42 €.
The major product, milk, is marketed through an organic dairy co-op run by organic dairy farmers of the region at an average price of 0.37 €. All cash crops
are marketed through the national food distribution co-op.
Farm family remuneration amounts to 28,506 € per farming family labour unit,
with a 37% income contribution from direct payments, of which 60% are from organic aid. Profit per dairy cow amounts to 570 €, while farm profit on a per
ha basis is 518 €/ha.
Table 3-16: Economic performance of the Danish organic dairy unit in 1999 €1 per cow Dairy returns 2,353 Beef returns 236 Crop returns 239 Payments general 211
...of which organic aid 126
Other returns 96
Total returns 3,134
Dairy variable costs 788
Crop variable costs 344
Gross margin 2,002
Labour paid 81
Rent paid 0
Interest paid on capital 541
Overheads 811
...of which depreciation 355
...of which other fixed costs 456
Total input costs2 2,564
Farm profit/cow 570
Farm profit / 100kg FCM3 8.5
Farm profit / ha UAA4 518
Farm profit/FWU5 28,506
1 Calculations based on the annual average interbank exchange rate of 1 DKK = 0.1344 € in 1999 2 Variable costs, overheads, wages paid, rents paid, interest paid on capital, overheads
3 FCM (fat corrected milk) 4 UAA (utilisable agricultural area) 5 FWU (family work unit)
Compared to the gross profits of various national comparison groups of dairy farms, presented in Table 3-17, the profit of the case-study farm is significantly higher than that of all described categories, although profit contribution from direct payments is significantly lower.
Table 3-17: Economic performance of the Danish organic dairy farm compared to various national comparison groups of dairy farms CLASSIFICATION Typical organic dairy farm Organic < 79 dairy cows Organic > 80 dairy cows Conventional All organic farms 1999
Dairy cows (Average no.) 60 54 114 80 80
Average area (ha) 66 65 141 81 98
Gross profit/ha (€) 518 291 230 284 254
Direct payments (€/ha) 191 269 316 267 299
in (%) of gross profit 37 92 137 94 118
Source: SJFI (2001), own calculations
3.3.2
Danish arable unit
In 1999, 48% of all organic farms in the country were classified as arable farms, of which about 45% were fully converted (SJFI 2001). In 1999, 75% of these were part-time holdings, but the share of full-time holdings was increasing. Full-time farms are more likely to be found on Jutland, the mainland of Denmark, whereas part-time farms are more typically found on the Islands. As full-time farms are still very widely dispersed, it was difficult to identify a region with a high density of full-time arable farms.
Full-time organic arable farms are generally characterised by a high profit contribution from potatoes and horticultural crops or cattle. Of the area cultivated with fodder crops (30%), only part is grown as cattle feed, the rest as green manure for nutrient management (SJFI 2001).
The typical Danish organic dairy farm lies in the centre of Jutland, in a region of gently undulating topography with valleys running in east-west direction. Soils are typically sandy silt or silty sands, developed on eastern moraine bedrock. Average annual precipitation is 850 mm, with approximately 450 mm contributing to the growing season of 200 days a year (Gläßer 1980). Maxima of precipitation are observed in August and October and may affect cereal quality and harvesting activities.
The typical organic arable farm cultivates an area of 98 ha, relying on fairly large and closely aggregated fields of an average size of 5 ha in proximity to the farm, although a mere 55% of land is farmers’ own property (Table 3-18). A profit/loss account for this typical organic arable farm is provided in Table 3-19 for the year 1999.
A typical crop rotation may be described roughly as follows: three years of clover/grass ley – winter wheat – oats or Barley – winter wheat – barley or barley/pea mixed cropping. For grassland use and nutrient management, a suckler herd of 25 Limousin or Angus cows is held, and all offspring except replacement heifers are finished: steers, bulls and heifers in a 24, 13, and 24 month regime, respectively. In order to accumulate farmyard manure for nutrient management, suckler cows, heifers and steers are housed in winter and bulls are housed all year round. Livestock has silage in winter, grazing in the summer plus transponder concentrate feeding. Total stocking rate is 0.65 LU/ha UAA.
Table 3-18: Danish organic arable farm: land use, livestock policy and factor endowment in 1999
Land use (yield) Unit
Total land area UAA1 (ha) 66.0
Clover/grass ley ha 43.8
Potatoes (18.0 t/ha) ha 2.0
Maize silage ha 2.7
Barley, feed (4.0 t/ha) ha 4.0
Pea/Barley – silage ha 12.0
Oats (3.8 t/ha) ha 1.5
Livestock
Dairy Cows No. 60
Stocking rate LU2/ha UAA1 1.4
FCM3 kg/cow year 6672
Age of first calving months 27
Insemination with beef bull % 0
Factor endowment
Labour AWU3/100 ha UAA1 2.1
Farm family AWU3/farm year 1.2
Casual labour AWU3/farm year 0.1
Land owned/rented % 100/0
Quota t 395
Quota owned/rented % 100/0
1 UAA (utilisable agricultural area) 2 LU (livestock unit)
3 AWU (agricultural work unit)
This organic arable family farm is managed by one full-time farm family labourer, assisted by approximately 0.1 AWU of casual labour at 11.4 € per
hour. Contracting assistance is sought only for combine harvesting, as the farm is otherwise fully equipped. Building structures include a deep litter barn for cattle, a grain storage facility and various sheds for machinery. Due to recent growth from a part-time to a full-time farm with building investments, interest payments are high. Furthermore, in order to grow, additional land had to be rented. Of the total land area of approximately 98 ha, only 55% is the farm’s own property; 35 ha of arable land and 9 ha of grassland is rented at 444 €/ha and
134 €/ha respectively. The regular arable area payment and beef special payment
schemes apply. Apart from organic aid, which amounts to 114 €/ha irrespective
of use, the farm participates in no other agri-environmental measure. Beef is sold at 1.24 €/kg live weight, while wheat is sold at 242 €/t and oats 222 €/t.
Farm family remuneration amounts to 22,080 € per family labour unit,
while profit on a per ha basis is 270 €/ha UAA (Table 3-19). Direct payments
contribute 138% to total profit, with 28% of this from the organic aid scheme.
Table 3-19: Economic performance of the Danish organic arable unit in 1999
€1 per ha
Livestock returns 105
Crop returns 683
Payments 315
... of which organic aid 0
Other returns 104
Total returns 1,207
Livestock variable costs 45
Crop variable costs 158
Gross margin 1,004
Labour paid 314
Rent paid 77
Interest paid on capital 30
Overheads 332
...of which depreciation 84
...of which other fixed costs 248
Total input costs2 956
Farm profit / ha UAA3 252
Farm profit / FWU4 61,727
1 Calculations based on the annual average interbank exchange rate of 1 DKK = 0.1344 € in 1999. 2 Variable costs, overheads, wages paid, rents paid, interest paid on capital, overheads
3 UAA (utilisable agricultural area) 4 FWU (family work unit)
Compared to the gross profits of various comparison groups, overall profit is significantly lower than that of the average of all organic arable farms despite the fact that payments represent a higher contribution to profit (Table 3-20). Labour-extensive part-time organic arable farms rely on much lower profit, while the more labour-intensive organic arable farms are much more profitable. These farms produce mainly vegetables and rely to a lesser extent on direct payments. These differences are mainly due to differences in production structure, as the case-study farm is a full-time cereal cropping farm with some livestock and a high income contribution from animal payments. Profitability of the typical organic arable farm compares most closely with the average for all conventional arable farms, as these are of a more mixed nature.
Table 3-20: Economic performance of the Danish organic arable farm compared to various national comparison groups of cropping farms
Classification Typical organic arable farm organic all farms ‘99 organic farms< 0.9 AWU organic farms> 1.0 AWU conventional
Gross profit per
ha (€) 270 493 183 872 269
....from payments
(%) 138 104 238 70 102
Average area (ha) 98 33 25 53 30
Horticultural
crops (%) 0 11 2 23 8
Source: SJFI (2000a)